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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 13:56 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: A windows question..... Reply with quote
Wifies Toshiba laptop has shit it's hard drive. It's an old laptop and not really worth spending money on however I have a hard drive from another computer I could put in.

My problem is I cannot find the recovery discs (if she even made any) so obviously it will have no operating system.

Is there any way round this that isn't going to cost? If I have to pay £100 for windows I might as well get her a new computer.

She has only ever used windows and I don't know if any of the free OS are similar.

If this is a no no, what laptop and supplier would people recommend for someone who just surfs the net and uses Microsoft office.

Thanks.
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Andy_Pagin
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PostPosted: 14:00 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
Linux Mint might suit. Mrs.P. is totally non tech-savvy but took to it straight away.
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panrider_uk
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PostPosted: 14:00 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
If Windows 7 then the windows key should be on a sticker on the base of the laptop.

Windows 8 and 10 have the key in the bios so you should be ok to just reinstall from a downloaded copy.
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linuxyeti
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PostPosted: 14:54 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
Andy_Pagin wrote:
Linux Mint might suit. Mrs.P. is totally non tech-savvy but took to it straight away.


+1

Or, even straight ubuntu, and and possibly install the UKUI desktop environment.

https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/04/make-ubuntu-look-like-windows-10

That good thing about Linux, you can try as many different versions or setups as you like Thumbs Up

Personally, I just use Fedora with the gnome3 environment, my missus, dad and daughter have no problems with using Fedora either.
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The Shaggy D.A.
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PostPosted: 16:17 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
https://dazloaderteam.com/
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 17:13 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mint Ubuntu work well on older lappys but she'd have to live without orifice straight out of the gate unless (wine etc)
I use Apache open office nowadays and it imports orifice files no problem.
Linux has libre? or something like that which would probably have similar import/export abilities

Win 7 install isos are available free ofn the interwebs I hear

My older low spec machines all use win7 32 quite happily
I use a small prog called Rufus to make bootable USB sticks for installing win 7 on them
It saves arsing about with burning CDs

TLDR
You can sort it cheaply/free
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Rogerborg
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Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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PostPosted: 17:40 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
linuxyeti wrote:
Or, even straight ubuntu, and and possibly install the UKUI desktop environment.

Or even straight Mint which is designed to avoid having to get dragged into the distro/desktop nerd fight.

linuxyeti wrote:
make-ubuntu-look-like-windows-10

That sounds like a threat.

linuxyeti wrote:
That good thing about Linux, you can try as many different versions or setups as you like Thumbs Up

That sounds like a threat.

If you don't know what you want, you want Mint. Just accept the default options. Run it off of a USB stick first to see if it works on the laptop, then install it and you're done.
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kgm
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PostPosted: 18:13 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you really want a genuine widows key you can get both office and windows keys for about a tenner on Amazon. I'd likely go Linux also though but it's not for everyone.
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Im-a-Ridah
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Joined: 20 Oct 2006
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PostPosted: 18:23 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
Polarbear wrote:
Wifies Toshiba laptop has shit it's hard drive. It's an old laptop and not really worth spending money on however I have a hard drive from another computer I could put in.

My problem is I cannot find the recovery discs (if she even made any) so obviously it will have no operating system.

Is there any way round this that isn't going to cost? If I have to pay £100 for windows I might as well get her a new computer.

She has only ever used windows and I don't know if any of the free OS are similar.

If this is a no no, what laptop and supplier would people recommend for someone who just surfs the net and uses Microsoft office.

Thanks.


Probably has a recovery partition instead of a disc. I'd just download a windows 7 iso from the internet and stick it on a usb, then when its installed run the Daz activation wizard linked to by shaggy.

Though if Laptop is more than 5 years old I'd probably take the opportunity to get something newer and more reliable Thinking
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M.C
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PostPosted: 21:18 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
WD Forte wrote:
Win 7 install isos are available free ofn the interwebs I hear

My older low spec machines all use win7 32 quite happily
I use a small prog called Rufus to make bootable USB sticks for installing win 7 on them
It saves arsing about with burning CDs

MS will only let you DL one if you have a key Rolling Eyes But there are genuine torrents. Also MS have an official tool for creating a bootable USB installer from an ISO, but Rufus is good if you need other options (creating custom installers etc.).

The Shaggy D.A. wrote:
https://dazloaderteam.com/

Is that the genuine site? I downloaded one from a legit looking website a while ago and got a bitch of a virus. The original topic* (at least I hope it is Razz) has the legit 'loader', I used it the other day Thumbs Up

*you need to register but if anyone CBA I can PM it to you.
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Courier265
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Joined: 01 Oct 2017
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PostPosted: 21:27 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
Simple way around is to clone the original drive. There are a few free programs that will do this. AOMEI have products that will do this.

This is assuming the original Hard drive still has a working OS...
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Rogerborg
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Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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PostPosted: 21:34 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
M.C wrote:
there are genuine torrents.

And some hookers really do have a heart of gold.

Aside, the refurb desktop that I just bought came with a "clean" install of 7 Enterprise which when I ran Windows Experience declared "Unable to start the kernel logger. The logger is in use by another application." Uh huh. What on earth could be sitting in ring 0, logging my precious keystrokes.

Brain wiped and replaced with a genuine MSDN 7 Enterprise. For non-gaming though, just Mint it and be done with all the dicking around.
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M.C
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PostPosted: 22:11 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rogerborg wrote:
M.C wrote:
there are genuine torrents.

And some hookers really do have a heart of gold.

Same SHA1 as the original.
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MCN
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Joined: 22 Jul 2015
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PostPosted: 22:51 - 02 Jan 2018    Post subject: Re: A windows question..... Reply with quote
Polarbear wrote:
Wifies Toshiba laptop has shit it's hard drive. It's an old laptop and not really worth spending money on however I have a hard drive from another computer I could put in.

My problem is I cannot find the recovery discs (if she even made any) so obviously it will have no operating system.

Is there any way round this that isn't going to cost? If I have to pay £100 for windows I might as well get her a new computer.

She has only ever used windows and I don't know if any of the free OS are similar.

If this is a no no, what laptop and supplier would people recommend for someone who just surfs the net and uses Microsoft office.

Thanks.


TLDR : I haz zum well dodgy pron on my laptop that I need to wipe. Any help appreciated. Embarassed

Very Happy

There are peeps on ebay who sell keys for cheap. £30-40 (Guessing.)
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Im-a-Ridah
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Joined: 20 Oct 2006
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PostPosted: 00:01 - 03 Jan 2018    Post subject: Re: A windows question..... Reply with quote
MCN wrote:
Polarbear wrote:
Wifies Toshiba laptop has shit it's hard drive. It's an old laptop and not really worth spending money on however I have a hard drive from another computer I could put in.

My problem is I cannot find the recovery discs (if she even made any) so obviously it will have no operating system.

Is there any way round this that isn't going to cost? If I have to pay £100 for windows I might as well get her a new computer.

She has only ever used windows and I don't know if any of the free OS are similar.

If this is a no no, what laptop and supplier would people recommend for someone who just surfs the net and uses Microsoft office.

Thanks.


TLDR : I haz zum well dodgy pron on my laptop that I need to wipe. Any help appreciated. Embarassed

Very Happy

There are peeps on ebay who sell keys for cheap. £30-40 (Guessing.)


Wipe it like a Trump? Wink

https://www.bleachbit.org/
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 00:33 - 03 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have the windows 7 key on the bottom of the computer.

When I load it into the Microsoft windows 7 download it says 'fuck off, that was an installation by the hardware supplier, go nag them for recovery' (in nicer language) Shocked
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M.C
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PostPosted: 00:38 - 03 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
See this is why I've never bothered with genuine keys Laughing Do they at least give you an iso you can crack? https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows7
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Rogerborg
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Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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PostPosted: 08:41 - 03 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
M.C wrote:
Same SHA1 as the original.

If you have an original image to hash, why would you be torrenting one?
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 08:54 - 03 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
Success using a windows 10 download. Thanks all Thumbs Up
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stinkwheel
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Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 12:33 - 03 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
WD Forte wrote:
Mint Ubuntu work well on older lappys but she'd have to live without orifice straight out of the gate unless (wine etc)
I use Apache open office nowadays and it imports orifice files no problem.
Linux has libre? or something like that which would probably have similar import/export abilities


Open office is to libre office as the Peoples Front of Judea is to the Judean Peoples Front.

For running windows only applications, I personally preferr using windows 7 in virtual box. I just like the idea of running windows in a window (and it's the only way I can get the wifes garmin watch updates). Also handy for opening attack sites and virus links in for shits and giggles.
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M.C
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PostPosted: 15:41 - 03 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rogerborg wrote:
M.C wrote:
Same SHA1 as the original.

If you have an original image to hash, why would you be torrenting one?

I don't, they were listed elsewhere back when you could download the original ISOs from MS.

Polarbear wrote:
Success using a windows 10 download. Thanks all Thumbs Up

Nooooo Razz
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 22:05 - 03 Jan 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote
M.C wrote:

Polarbear wrote:
Success using a windows 10 download. Thanks all Thumbs Up

Nooooo Razz


It is working for the total cost to me of £0. If the woman doesn't like it and wants a new computer she can go and buy it herself or get down on her knees and work for it Thumbs Up
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